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BlogThis Newlywed Couple Built a Timber Framed Tiny House With No Prior Building Experience

This Newlywed Couple Built a Timber Framed Tiny House With No Prior Building Experience

Meet Edwin and Clara, Their Tiny house build started in June of 2018 on a 24ft x 97.5in 14k Tiny House Basic’s Trailer with Drop Axles but the journey truly began in 2015. Living in San Diego at the time, both of them separately began daydreaming about tiny home living. Edwin was pursuing an Environmental Engineering degree from UCSD and Clara was at a local community college pursuing Natural Sciences. Throughout this year, Edwin and Clara both began questioning their life paths.

Timber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, Clara and Edwin Testing out the frame for their window

The degrees they were pursuing didn’t seem to guarantee the life they wanted to have. To chalk it up, society’s game didn’t sit right with them. To take out massive amounts of loans for school, for a house and then work for the rest of your life to catch up with your spending? They didn’t feel good about signing up for that race.

“They wanted the financial flexibility to travel, adventure, and live off the land.“

Timber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, Clara and Holding Whiskey on the Ladder Leading up to the master loft

They saw going tiny as the key to living the lifestyle they both desired. This is when they began sketching, talking, and pondering how they could make their very own tiny home.

Timber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, Large Gas-Strut Assisted Window Opens up this beautiful tiny house and provides a perfect eating area

“The opportunity to start their build came from an unexpected and very unfortunate series of events.”

Back in Northern California, a huge fire wrecked the community and hometown where Edwin was from. A close family, Paul, Debra, and their son Connor lost their home that took them thirty years to build. Edwin wanted to help them rebuild their home and Paul presented an offer that was too good to pass on. Edwin and Clara helped rebuild their home and Paul helps them build their dream tiny home on wheels. Paul is an ER doctor by trade but a builder/woodworker by hobby.

Timber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, Edwin Serving up lunch at the bar area

They knew very little about building. Edwin had taken a couple of carpentry classes in highschool. Clara had never even held a drill in her life. However, they were both determined. Through the process of rebuilding their friend’s home, they learned and developed new skills. Felling trees, milling their own wood, electrical, plumbing, timber framing, sheetrock, and cabinetry just to name a few.

Timber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, The View looking at the kitchen, bar top and secondary loft

Once Edwin and Clara saw the finish of their friend’s barn and 2000sqft house, it was time to start on theirs. Throughout the three year process of building, there were many ups and downs. Financial costs, giving up spending time with family and friends and the long working days were just some of the obstacles set in their way.

Timber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, Clara making lunch on the induction cooktop in the galley kitchenTimber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, Whiskey Giving Edwin the sad puppy eyes while Clara makes lunch in the kitchen

“In May of 2019, Edwin and Clara celebrated their wedding.“

Timber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, Edwin and Clara Celebrating Their Wedding at Their Tiny House

The anticipated arrival of the wedding was just the motivation they needed to push the project forward. They were looking forward to sharing their hard work, for all of their friends and family to see. At the beginning of 2020, they finally moved their Tiny Home off of their friends’ property and onto their own. Since then they have been honing in tiny living, making constant improvements and basking in the light of their hard work and dedication.

Timber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, Clara Relaxing in her hammock with whiskey

“So far, tiny home living is all they could have dreamed of and more.“

Timber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, Clara Relaxing in the secondary loft

Because of the timber frame style they constructed, they feel as if they are living in an art piece. Their large windows allow for ample natural light and views to the beautiful property they sit on. The simplicity of living tiny has enriched their lives. It’s allowed them to pursue other ventures that are on the horizon.

Timber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, The Large Walk-in ShowerTimber Frame Tiny House on Wheels, Clara and Whiskey in the HammocksTimber Frame Tiny House on Wheels Parked on Edwin and Clara’s Beautiful Property

And as far as other adventures go, Edwin has joined together with a team of builders (and trailers from Tiny House Basics) to make another timber-framed tiny home for the market. If interested you can contact them at norcaltinyhomes@gmail.com

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